Developer Accommodating Apparatus Light Shading for Detection Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional developer accommodating apparatuses and image forming apparatuses face challenges in maintaining detection stability due to irregular reflection light, which is exacerbated by the need for a secure light path and high light emission quantity, leading to increased diffused reflection and instability in toner remainder quantity detection.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a light shading section that synchronizes with the developer conveying section to shade light emitted from the light emitting section based on the developer quantity, minimizing the light path structure and reducing the influence of irregular reflection light, allowing for stable detection of toner remainder quantity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a long light route is secured and reflection means are used to detect toner remainder quantity, then the detection range is improved, but light quantity attenuates and diffused reflection increases causing detection instability
Solution Approach 1:
A light guide member is introduced as an intermediary component to transmit light between the light emitting element and the toner remainder detection point. This mediator extends the effective detection range without requiring a long direct light route, thereby maintaining light quantity and reducing diffused reflection while achieving broader detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The light transmission path is segmented into multiple sections: light emitting element, light guide member, and reflection board. This segmentation allows each component to perform its function optimally - the light guide member directs light efficiently while the reflection board provides the necessary reflection, reducing overall light attenuation and improving detection stability
2Illumination intensity
If high light emission quantity is used to compensate for light attenuation, then the light reaching the detection point is sufficient, but diffused reflection increases causing detection instability
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide member acts as a focused intermediary that directs light efficiently along a controlled path. This reduces the need for high light emission quantity because the light is transmitted with minimal loss, thereby sufficient light reaches the detection point without excessive emission that would cause diffused reflection
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces direct line-of-sight optical detection with a guided optical path using the light guide member. This substitution allows for more efficient light transmission with reduced scattering and diffused reflection, enabling stable detection with lower light emission quantities
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a stable optical axis is provided to reduce diffused reflection, then reflection control is improved, but it becomes difficult to meet detection stability requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide member serves as a stable intermediary that maintains a consistent optical axis throughout the light transmission path. This mediator inherently provides the stability needed for controlled reflection while eliminating the difficulty of maintaining a stable optical axis over long distances or complex arrangements
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide member is designed to be flexible yet maintain its optical path stability. This dynamic characteristic allows the optical axis to remain stable under various operating conditions while the light guide can adapt to slight positional variations, ensuring consistent detection stability
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enhances detection stability by minimizing the light path structure and reducing the impact of irregular reflection light, enabling accurate and reliable detection of toner remainder quantity without the need for high light emission quantities or complex reflection parts.
Implementation Method 1
a light emitting section to emit light toward the outside of the developing apparatus
Implementation Method 2
receiving reflection light formed by the reflection board through using a light receiving element provided in apparatus substance, and detecting a duty ratio
Data Source
AI summary
A developer accommodating apparatus, a developing apparatus and an image forming apparatus are provided capable of obtaining detection stability of irregular reflection light. The developing apparatus of the present invention comprises an accommodating section to accommodate developer of predetermined quantity, a light emitting section to emit light toward outside; and a light shading section to shade the light emitted from the light emitting section according to the predetermined quantity of the developer in the accommodating section.